Etruscan Culture Essay

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Introduction The Etruscan culture derives from Etruria, Italy during the Bronze and Iron Ages with its peak in the sixth century B.C.E. Furthermore, the Etruscans, in conjunction with the Greeks, can be considered to be the first superpowers and influenced Western Mediterranean art and civilizations. The majority of today’s knowledge of Etruscan art comes from burial sites. Scholars believe these individuals placed great importance on the concept of an after-life. They equipped the dead with everything necessary (tomb paintings, sculpture, and pottery) for their transition into the next world. By examining these tombs, scholars can view the world of the dead to better comprehend the world of the living. (Taylor, 1-4) During the Orientalizing period (750-575 B.C.E.), the Etruscans began trading their natural resources with Mediterranean cultures, including the Greeks and Egyptians. As a result, precious materials started to appear in lavish tombs. Archaeologists have found oversized gold fibulas, pectorals, and bracelets. In addition to the influx in wealth, the Etruscans exchanged goods, ideas, and terminology. As a result, much of their influences have impacted Ancient Roman culture and artwork. One of the most famous sculptures of the Etruscans is the Capitoline Wolf. …show more content…

The Capitoline Wolf is famous for the sculptor’s ability to capture the wolf’s physical and emotional state. The body of the wolf depicts tension. The legs convey power by the details in the muscles, and the torso displays boney hips and visible ribs. Furthermore, the wolf’s fierceness and protectiveness is revealed in the face. The ears and eyes are alert against enemy threats. With ferocity, the wolf is growling by the pushed up nose and bared teeth. Also, the neck is lowered and head is pointed down as it would be for a fight. (Kleiner,

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